 The Time of Your Life (1997-1998)
Computer, antique clock, speech system;
8x6x4" plus cord; 2 lbs.
Status: available
This sculpture is a personal seer. Constructed inside a cast iron antique clock
housing, The Time of Your Life consists of a computer, a battery-backed clock, a digital
speech system, a numerical display and a key switch. Upon it's purchase, I set the
owner's date of birth into the machine. They receive a large brass key, which
insures that only they can activate the prediction.
 When the key is inserted into the lock and turned, the computer
checks the current date and the owner's birth date, calculates a prediction based on
insurance company actuarial tables, and speaks. It uses a monotonous female voice,
and patches together its utterance in the manner of the telephone time system: "You
have... x... x... x.. .x... days to live." If the owner outruns the law of
averages, the piece says "Congratulations. You've cheated death by... x... x... x..
.x... days." The piece also counts the seconds away in binary code on its LED
display.
The Time of Your Life requires 120v, and a small pedestal or shelf.
How does this sculpture work?
Check out the technical
notes. |
